Global air cargo demand rose 7.7% in September 2026 compared with a year earlier, according to IATA figures released on October 29. Capacity increased 2.7%.
The demand measure is cargo tonne-kilometres: freight weight multiplied by distance flown. It is not simply the number of parcels or tonnes shipped.
Growth brings a cost challenge
IATA’s cargo load factor rose 2.2 percentage points to 47.9%, indicating greater use of available capacity. Jet fuel prices, however, were 103.4% higher than a year earlier and increased 17.5% from August.
IATA says stronger trade and manufacturing supported demand, while freight yields failed to keep pace with fuel costs. More traffic therefore does not necessarily mean stronger airline profits.
These are September market figures, rather than a new flight disruption or a forecast of individual shipping prices.
Source: IATA’s October 29 cargo release. For longer-term fleet context, see Flyzeu’s report on Boeing’s freighter forecast.
